The most important lesson of any DIY project is to know when to call in the professionals. While many of the how-to projects in this book are simply completed by someone with little construction experience, some projects will be more involved than they first appear. For instance, replacing a resilient tile floor may seem like an easy enough project, but the plot thickens when the subfloor is revealed to be in terrible shape and must be torn out and rebuilt. Another time to call in expert assistance is when plumbing or electrical systems are more than twenty years old. Though wires and pipes are meant to last over fifty years, some conditions will cause them to deteriorate, making it tricky to remove them safely. And while many hobbyists can pull off the replacement of upper cabinets with the help of a friend, there are plenty of us who would require a team of carpenters to help hang and install new cabinets. The how-to lessons in this book have been carefully broken down into step-by-step manuals for each project. Whether you need assistance or have lots of experience at DIY home improvement, the right tools and smart safety precautions make it possible for anyone to achieve dream-kitchen status.
Flextime: Your Little Secret
For added security, it’s a good idea to add at least 25 percent more time to your best guess when determining
the overall schedule for your remodeling project. Building in a few flex days as a safeguard against unforeseen
problems is also a good idea. However, keep this information to yourself.
If contractors know that your schedule is padded, they may feel free to bump your project for a day or two to
squeeze in a smaller rush job for another client. To ensure that your contractors stay on schedule, mark your flex days “cleanup” or “out of town”—don’t tell them you’ve built some extra time into the schedule.
Talk to Building Inspectors
Although building inspectors aren’t paid consultants, they can be an excellent design and planning resource. They are your community’s field representatives, and their job is to inspect the work done on your project to ensure that it meets building code requirements.
As experts in their respective fields, the building inspector, electrical inspector, and plumbing inspector can give you sound advice on designing your kitchen. Not all inspectors have the time or the willingness to answer a lot of design questions, so make your questions short and specific, and be sure to describe your situation clearly. Also ask if the inspections office provides a pamphlet that summarizes the local code requirements for kitchens.
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